Electric switch



p i 10, 1951 G. G. OBENOUR 2,548,678

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 5, 1947 I III,

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\\\\\\\ xv III 23 24 //v ve lv r01? :3: =9 same: a; 065N001? ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 10, 1951 ELECTRIC SWITCH George G. Obenour, San Francisco, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to George Dissinger, Davis, Calif.

Application April 5, 1947, Serial No. 739,611

The invention, in general, relates to means for making and breaking an electric circuit and more particularly relates to an improved switch of movable contact construction affording positive snap action between contacts and a greater area of positive contact without likelihood of scoring or otherwise burning or damaging of contacts.

Electric switches and switch boxes heretofore devised have been, for the large part, of relatively complex and cumbersome construction requiring appreciable manufacturing costs and maintenance expense, including frequent replacement of parts that become Worn or fatigued. The present invention is directedto obviating inherent disadvantages of prior constructions and to alford a movable contact construction switch having durability yet simple of produc-' tion and inexpensive to manufacture.

' A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved electric switch of the movable contact type wherein the movable contact is appreciably flexible but positive in action.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide an improved electric switch of the indicated nature Which is additionally characterized by its rapid snap action to off and on position thus avoiding all likelihood of pitting of contacts.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved electric switch having a minimum of parts and capable of constant use for appreciable periods of time without requiring replacement of parts.

Other objects of the invention, together with some of the advantageous features thereof, will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is tobe understood thatI am not to be limited to @218 precise embodiment shown, nor to the precise arrangement of the various parts thereof, as my invention, as defined in the appended claim, can be embodied in a plurality and variety of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the movable contact in on position.

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 but showing the movable contact thrown to off position.

Figure 4 is a view taken on the section line 44 of Figure 2.

"stantially right angles thereto.

1 Claim. (Cl. 200-76) Figure 5 is a view taken on the section line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the push button and slidable plate of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the rocker element employed in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the fixed terminal contact elements of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In its preferred form, the improved electric switch of my invention preferably comprises a switch housing having a base with an inner undulatory surface, fixed contact elements in the recesses of said inner surface, together with a movable contact element, and means for moving said movable contact element with a rapid snap action to quickly engage and disengage said.

fixed contact elements of said base.

As particularly illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive of the accompanying drawings, my improved electric switch comprises a housing It preferably formed of electrical insulation material, such as a phenolic or urea condensate product with suitable filler, and so formed as to define an appreciable large inner chamber [2. The base [3 of the housing ll preferably is formed with an inner undulatory surface, generally designated by the reference numeral I4, defining two sets of grooves [6, I1 and [8, I9 arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the center of the base. In grooves I6 and I8 are seated fixed contact elements 2| which conveniently are formed to the shape depicted in Figure 8 of the annexed drawings and which include a relatively long contact arm 22 formed to the same shape as the recesses l6 and I8, together with'a terminal leg 23 integral with the arm '22 but extending at sub- As indicated in Figures 1, 4 and 5, the terminal legs '23 of the fixed contact elements protrude from the housing II and each terminal leg is formed with an aperture for passing a screw 2% to enable attachment of electrical conductors thereto. I

In accordance with my invention, a movable contact element 26 is slidably disposed on the inner surface M of the base of the switch housing II, as clearly depicted in Figures 2 and'3 of the accompanying drawings. Movable contact ele: ment 26 preferably is formed with curved lateral extremities 2'! and 28 and the degree of curvature of such extremities corresponds to the curved or concave shape of the recesses, [6 to [9 inclusive of the inner surface [4 of the base of the housing.

In additionfthe movable contact element 26 contains a central channel member 29 preferably formed integral with the contact arms 31 and 32 extending laterally therefrom. As indicated in Figures 2 and 3, the movable contact element 26 is adapted to be moved to either one of two positions whereby the switch is placed either in an on or and off position. To this end, I preferably employ a rocker member 35, illustrated in perspective view in Figure 7 of the annexed drawings, including a head 37 and an integral rod 38 extending laterally from opposite sides of the head, and a depending short stem 32 extending from approximately the center of the. bottom of the head. Suspended on or otherwise. attached to or upon or around rod 38 is a U-shaped element 21 which carries on its horizontal leg 42 a retainer cup 43 in which the lower end ofa spring 44 is seated; the spring 44 being coiled about the; short stem 39 of the rocker member 35, as illustrated in Figures 2 to inclusive. In operative position, the rocker member 36 is mountedwith its rod 38 arranged transversely of the housing 1.1 and the depending short stem 39, the U-shaped. element 4| and the coil spring 44, disposed immediately above the central channel member 29 of the movable contact element 26. To effect rocking of the rocker member 36, I preferably provide a push-button 16 and plate 47 as an integral unit, see Figure 6 of the drawings, which is slidably mounted in the switch housing in agroove 28 provided therein; the entire unitor push-button and plate being adapted to be moved to the right and to the left thereby engaging and moving the head 37 of rocker member 36 correspondingly with the result that the rod 33 is rocked carrying the short stem 39 beyond a center position whereafter the coil spring effects a rapid snap movement causing the movable contact element 25 to snap into position since the bottom leg 12 of the U-shaped element engages and pushes against the sides of the channelmember 29 of the movable coritact. Once the movable contact element 2 6 is snapped into position, the U-shaped element 41 holds it in such position until the push-button,

48 is moved in the oppositedirection. The push.- button 46 is hollow as shown and servesto house the head 37 of the rocker member and effectively to keep out dust, and other debrisfrom the parts of the switch.

It is to be especially observedthat the arm 22 of the fixed terminal contacts 21 is arcuate in shape rather than fully concave so that each contact arm 22 occupies but one-half. of the re,- cesses or grooves 18 and I8 of the inner surface It of the base 13. Moreover, it is to be observed that the width of the lateral extremities 27 and.

28 of the movable contact element 26.is substantially equal to the width of the recesses 19 and I8. Hence, when these lateral extremities of the movable contact 26 engage the arcuate shaped arms 22 of the fixed electrical contact elements 2| the engagement is complete transversely of the switch housing yet only one-half of the recesses It and I8, such as the left hand side thereof, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings is occupied by engaged contacts. With this arrangement of fixed contacts, there is no likelihood of burning or pitting of the contacts as the movable contact is snapped from side to side to engage and disengage such fixed contacts. It also is to be noted that the raised portions 5| of the undulatory inner surface 14. of the base, between the recesses thereof, serve to enhance the snapping action of the movable contact from inoperative or off position to operative or on position and vice versa in response to the throwing of thepush-Vbutton 46.

For. convenience of construction, the housing il is, providedwith; a removable cover plate 52 having extensions 53 at the sides thereof which overlie bossestfl formed on the sides of the housing; such extensions and bosses being provided with threaded apertures to receive screws 56 to tighten the cover in position. Cover plate. 52 is enlarged on its inner side to afford the recess or groove 48 in which the push-button plate 41. slides, and also to provide a bearing boss 51 in which the rocker member rod 381s journaled.

I claim:

In an electric switch, in combination, a house ing having a chamber therein; said housingv including an inner bottom surface having arcua-te grooves therein arranged in. spaced pairs at op. posite sides thereof, a fixed arcuate. contact in one groove of each of said pairs of grooves, a

member within said chamber slidable on said bottom; said member having a recessthereinandhaving arcuate resilient contact extremities seatable in said arcuate grooves, an actuating. element to effect sliding of said member within said chamber for moving said resilient contacts into engagement with said fixed contacts as Well as for moving said resilient contacts out ofengagement with said fixed contacts, a U-shaped element seated in the recess of said member, and a spring coiled about said actuating element and seated in said U-shaped element; said spring being adapted to exert a positive force on said member to hold said resilient contacts; in operative and in inoperative positions with respect to said fixed contacts.

GEORGE G. OBENOUR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

